The Book of Mormon has changed my life. Since I was little my
family has read The Book of Mormon as a family most nights before going to bed.
I always wanted to read the whole book by myself. I did not until ninth grade
when we studied it in my religion’s seminary class. As I read and studied it I
began to understand principles of my religion better and come to know for
myself that what was in The Book of Mormon was true. Since then I have read The
Book of Mormon 2-3 more times and my love for it grows every time I read it. It
never truly hit me how important it was until junior year of high school when I
was put into a mental health hospital because of severe depression and anxiety.
I was diagnosed with MDD (Major Depressive Disorder). The first few days in the
hospital were really rough, I was in a strange place, with strange people I had
never met before, being given different medicines that were messing with my
body, and I really did not want to be there. It did not start getting better
until my mom brought in a Book of Mormon for me to read. I began reading it
every moment of free time I had. I would read it before and after meals,
between exercise times, and after phone calls and visiting hour. As I read I
was finally awarded some peace. Each time I would pick up and open the Book of
Mormon I was granted a measure of peace. It did not take away the pain I was
suffering, make my body stop doing weird things, or cure me of my illness.
Anxiety and depression are not totally curable after all. But reading and
studying The Book of Mormon gave me enough peace and hope to keep fighting
against those forces that were striving to bring me down. It gave me a clarity
of mind to see my situation as it should be looked at, as a challenge yes, but
also as a way to grow and become stronger. It opened my eyes to the truths that
bring great comfort to those who seek it and allowed me to become closer to my
Savior Jesus Christ.
The Book of
Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, it says so right on the cover. I
can testify that The Book of Mormon truly does bring one closer to Christ.
During my stay at the hospital I grew in ways I never believed were possible
and most of the ways I grew were spiritual. By growing spiritually, I was also
able to grow mentally and strengthen my mind and body against my trials called
anxiety and depression. By reading The Book of Mormon every day I was able to
draw upon the strength of my Savior, partake of His peace, and find the hope I
needed to keep pushing on to one more day. I continue to read The Book of
Mormon every day and rely on its power to give me peace.
Kenzie
